Troubleshooting No Internet Connection in Kali VM on VMWare Workstation Pro (Windows 10)
If you're running VMWare Workstation Pro version 17.6.2 on a Windows 10 host and have noticed internet drops occurring less than a minute, this article is for you. We'll cover key concepts, provide detailed context, and offer subtitles and code blocks as necessary to help you troubleshoot the issue. At the end of this article, you will find a summary and references to help you learn more about the topic.
1. Overview of the Issue
When running a Kali Linux virtual machine (VM) on VMWare Workstation Pro on a Windows 10 host, users have reported experiencing internet drops occurring less than a minute. In some cases, the internet connection may be intermittent. This issue can impact productivity and make it difficult to complete tasks that require a stable internet connection.
2. Checking Network Settings in the VM
To begin troubleshooting the issue, the first step is to check the network settings in the VM. In the VM settings, ensure that the network adapter is set to bridged mode, so the VM can access the host's network directly.
VM → Settings → Network Adapter → Bridged
3. Checking Network Settings on the Host
After checking the network settings in the VM, the next step is to check the network settings on the host. Ensure that the network adapter is enabled, and the network is connected.
Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings
4. Disabling Power Saving Mode
Power-saving mode on the network adapter can also cause internet drops. Disabling power-saving mode can help prevent this issue. To disable power-saving mode, follow these steps:
Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click your network adapter → Properties → Power Management → Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
5. Updating Network Drivers
Outdated network drivers can also cause connectivity issues. Make sure to update the network drivers to ensure that the network adapter is working properly. To update the network drivers, follow these steps:
Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click your network adapter → Update driver
6. Disabling VMWare Tools Networking
In some cases, VMWare Tools networking can cause internet drops in Kali Linux VMs. Disabling VMWare Tools networking can help prevent this issue. To disable VMWare Tools networking, follow these steps:
VM → Settings → Options → VMWare Tools → Uncheck "Enable VMWare Tools networking"
7. Checking for Interference
Interference from other devices can also cause connectivity issues. Ensure that there are no other devices near the host that could be causing interference. If there are, try moving them to a different location.
- Check network settings in the VM
- Check network settings on the host
- Disable power-saving mode
- Update network drivers
- Disable VMWare Tools networking
- Check for interference
References
- VMWare Docs: VMWare Workstation Pro Documentation
- Kali Linux Docs: Kali Linux Documentation
- VMWare Community: VMWare Community
- Ubuntu Forums: Ubuntu Forums